Cannabis Security - Keeping the Stash Safe

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Cannabis Security - Keeping the Stash Safe
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Introduction

• Cannabis has become big business over the last
  decade as it has transformed from being an
  illegal drug to an acceptable medical remedy and
  even in some Countries such as Uruguay and Canada
  to full legal status. In these countries and in
  several states in the USA cannabis has not just
  been de-criminalized but made legal. The result
  of this is that cannabis can now be openly grown,
  distributed, sold and of course taxed. This has
  meant huge tax windfalls for the governments and
  states that have made cannabis either legal for
  medical use or for recreational use. Indeed, some
  industry observers believe that the industry in
  continental North America for example may top
  31.4 billion in annual sales by 2021. This is
  serious big money but it doesnt come without
  equally seriously big issues.

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• The problem is that in Canada even though
  cannabis has been legal since 2017 the major
  banks are still reticent to do business with the
  cannabis industry. This is despite that in Canada
  for example which has over 100 licensed cannabis
  producers and some start-up companies are
  considered to be unicorns business that are
  worth 1Billion dollars or more. These successful
  businesses still find it hard to enter the
  international banking system.In the USA things
  are even worse as although 29 states have
  legalized cannabis for medical use and 9 states
  have legalized cannabis for recreational use it
  is still under Federal law classed as being
  illegal. The problem is that the flourishing
  cannabis industry is finding banking and
  financial services are out-with their reach. This
  is because banks cannot take their money nor do
  business with them under federal law - although
  they must still pay state and federal taxes.
  Additionally, the large security companies cannot
  transport their product or their cash, again due
  to Federal law restrictions, which has left these
  cash-rich businesses hugely attractive to
  criminal. This in turn has created a flourishing
  cannabis security industry that aims to ensure
  companies are secure and compliant with their
  state or countries security requirements.

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Table of Contents

• State and National Security Regulations.
• Retail Outlets.
• Transportation.
• Security on the Farm.
• Greenhouse and Indoor Farms.
• Why all these Security Regulations?
• What can the Professional Cannabis Security
  Companies do to Help?
• Top Tips for Choosing a Cannabis Security
  Company.
• Conclusion.

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State and National Security Regulations

• The introduction of legislation that changed
  cannabis growing, production, distribution and
  resale from being a criminal offense to a
  legitimate industry did not come without
  stringent state or national regulations. Indeed
  in the US regulators have from the outset had
  strict security regulations in place although
  they differ from state to state.

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Retail Outlets

• Most of the security regulations are common sense
  practices that any cash based business with
  highly resalable goods with a high street value
  would voluntarily put in place. For example,
  cannabis retail outlets need to be protected by
  security cameras in much the same way as high
  street banks, jewelers or pawn shops. However in
  the US state laws determine the type of security
  cameras deployed as well as the time that video
  must be retained some are 30 days but some states
  demand a retention time off one year. In this
  case the need for HD cameras covering every exit
  and entrance and the storage of the video streams
  is a significant burden as now the cash, cannabis
  and the VDRs need to be secured.

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Transportation

• A serious issue that small startups have in the
  cannabis industry is in securely transporting
  their cash and product as both are magnates for
  criminals. Armed robbers will make short work of
  an unprotected personal vehicle but the problem
  is that many security companies cannot transport
  cannabis due to its Federal illegal status. This
  is not just in the US which is under direct
  Federal law but in many other countries companies
  that do work in the US are very wary of breaking
  Federal laws such as in banking and narcotics and
  hence their reluctance to participate in any
  activity that they deem to be dubious. Naturally
  being involved in the distributing of cannabis is
  high up on their lists of dubious activities.
  Again this reluctance for traditional security
  firms to support the burgeoning cannabis industry
  has sparked demand and interest from start-up
  security firms that are specializing in cannabis
  security and transportation.

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Security on the Farm

• In the states that have legalized the growing and
  cultivation of cannabis there will be strict
  regulation on how to secure the farm. This will
  certain need high double-layer perimeter fencing,
  sometimes triple layer with razor wire between
  the layers. Obviously on large farms this will be
  expensive but expected however what catches most
  farmers out is the number and locations required
  for surveillance cameras. Several states require
  cameras are fitted that cover an area of 20
  meters both inside and outside the perimeter
  fencing. Some may require that these cameras are
  monitored 24/7 but most just insist that the
  video is retained and stored securely for
  anything from 30 days to 1 year. Obviously
  storing that amount of HD video from so many
  cameras covering say an 80 meter area of
  cultivation is going to be a problem. However, it
  not just security surveillance that is required
  as there will also need to be guards that patrol
  and protect the farm and react to any alerts from
  the surveillance cameras. This is where farms
  that can sustain all year continual cultivation
  and production benefit as they will typically be
  well manned with workers throughout the year.
  Unfortunately those that have climates unsuitable
  for year round production will need to secure
  their farms even during the non-productive times
  and that will require private security.

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Greenhouse and Indoor Farms

• Most security regulations that apply to
  greenhouse and other methods of indoor cannabis
  cultivation are again concerned primarily with
  camera surveillance and perimeter security.
  However most cannabis producers will be well
  aware of this and have security and access
  management systems already deployed. Nonetheless
  the regulations insist upon minimal levels of
  security that producers must comply with. For
  example cameras must be placed to capture all the
  indoor area and not have any blind spots due to
  machinery or other obstructions. Greenhouses must
  have clear views inside and outside again
  covering all the area with no obstructions. This
  means that the surrounding area must be kept
  clear of foliage or equipment and once again the
  video footage from all the cameras must be
  retained for a predetermined time. Once more
  these are basic security requirements that any
  sensible cannabis producer would already have in
  place to protect their crop and their business.

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Why all these Security Regulations?

• The problem is that with most start-ups across
  many industries there is a mad rush to profit.
  What this generally entails is that what capital
  is available is spent on the cash generating
  activities such as production and retail.
  Security is never ignored expect by the foolhardy
  but often is misdirected towards building a
  defensive fortress. This might make perfect sense
  to the cannabis producers especially if they have
  graduated from the times of illegal cultivation
  but it can build a buttress between the companys
  staff and the customer. What these businesses
  must remember is that too much or heavy handed
  security can be just as detrimental to profit as
  insufficient security. After all you dont want
  to be reflecting or instilling a sense of fear,
  paranoia and nervousness to your customers as
  that would drive most sensible customers away.

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• Another issue with the way some startup cannabis
  producers protect their business and product is
  through stealth, which is perhaps another
  hangover from the days of illicit trading.
  However this is never a good idea as travelling
  with large amounts of cash or cannabis in
  discrete family saloon makes you highly
  vulnerable to armed robbery. That is one of the
  reason that regulators insist on surveillance
  systems as both approaches to security typically
  fall into the heavy or stealth categories but
  both modes will insufficient from a law
  enforcement and governance perspective. This is
  because although the premises, which may be
  stealthy or bristling with defence, and the cash
  and product deemed by the owner to be secure. The
  problem remains that should there be a concerted
  effort to break into the premises. It would not
  matter whether the attack succeeds or not, from
  the police perspective there will be no forensic
  surveillance evidence.

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• Therefore regulators insist on not just camera
  surveillance, but the type of cameras installed
  (HD, IP) and the number of cameras, the placement
  and range of coverage as well as the retention
  period for the data. Some states have insisted on
  external surveillance similar to banks that
  covers the roads and alleys in the proximity to
  the companys premises. Indeed these types of
  surveillance systems might even need to be
  monitored. In which case it becomes clear that
  the new cannabis industry is likely to struggle
  in complying with their state regulations and
  perhaps call in the professionals to help them.

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What can the Professional Cannabis Security
Companies do to Help?

• As we have seen it is still the early days of the
  cannabis production and retail industry with most
  countries in the world still considering it to be
  illegal. However even in those countries that
  have fully legalized cannabis companies are
  finding traditional services such as banking and
  security out with their reach. Instead a new
  style of security-focused company has arisen to
  fill this void and provide the security expertise
  and consultation that many startups in the
  industry need. Many of the companies go much
  further than just providing security audits and
  profiling but offer security implementation
  services and even secure transportation for cash
  and products. Many will also provide on-premises
  security personnel or even bespoke security
  systems. There is in any emerging market a
  mixture of truly professional businesses as well
  as a fair share of cowboys and the cannabis
  security industry is no different. So what
  services should we look for in a reputable
  security firm?

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Top Tips for Choosing a Cannabis Security Company

• A good starting point is to pick a security firm
  that is both knowledgeable about regulatory
  compliance in the cannabis industry for your
  particular state and country and is also
  enthusiastic about working in the industry. To
  enable you to first succeed at this it is best to
  make sure that the companies being vetted do know
  about local specific regulatory requirements and
  have a vested interest in the cannabis industry.
• Another good way to differentiate between
  companies is to evaluate the options that they
  provide you with. Consultation should not be just
  around security they must as a starting point
  first meet the local requirements for compliance.
  Similarly the solutions offered should be
  appropriate for your business and not a
  one-size-fit-all solution.
• When considering security system proposals make
  sure that they will be fit for purpose and the
  company is going to meet all regulatory
  requirements. For example some states like
  Colorado and Washington State require that
  surveillance systems be monitored 24/7 by
  qualified and licensed staff. Sometimes security
  companies will just sell the system and leave the
  support and monitoring to you.
• Finally make sure that the security company takes
  a holistic approach, some companies have evolved
  from physical security, which is their forte
  while others are primarily technologists with
  little interest in the physical side. Ideally you
  want a company that has specialists in both
  practices.

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Conclusion

• The cannabis industry is relatively new and
  potentially highly lucrative as well as risky so
  is naturally finding itself under stringent state
  or national regulations. As in many highly
  regulated industries compliance is a must and
  beyond the skills of the business. As a result
  many startup security companies have emerged to
  relieve cannabis companies from the burden of
  security and compliance. However, it is critical
  that you select a professional security firm that
  is both knowledgeable of the local cannabis
  industry and enthusiastic. One such company in
  Canada is Northern Source Security that provides
  both technical excellence through security
  consultations, audits, planning and
  implementations and also provides skilled and
  qualified manpower as well as training for
  security personnel. It is this competence in both
  the fields of technology through surveillance and
  early detection systems combined with their
  experience in close protection, security patrols
  and armed transportation services that make this
  companys all-round prospective standout.

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The End

• Find out more at - https//nfsecurity.ca/cannabis/